430 results about "Satellite radio" patented technology

In conventionally receiving satellite broadcasting (BS, CS) and terrestrial broadcasting (VHF, UHF) services, transmitting the services to a plurality of TV receivers in an individual house results in complicated wiring and a community house is also limited in the number of installed TV receivers due to previously setting a distributor and thus requires an additional distributor to be installed when a TV receiver is additionally installed. The milliwave receiving and transmitting system of the present invention allows a broadcast signal to be transmitted and received indoors via indoor, wireless milliwave transmission without using any indoor wiring.

The invention provides a method for establishing communications with a quiescent mobile vehicle. A satellite radio system broadcast channel is monitored for a command signal. The command signal is extracted from the broadcast channel. A cell phone in a telematics unit is powered up based on the command signal.

Services for a vehicle or fleet of vehicles can be ordered, renewed, modified, managed, configured, and / or cancelled through a common interface. Services may be managed remotely from outside the vehicle as well as from within the vehicle. For example, the driver of a vehicle could access a secure web site from their home computer to subscribe for satellite radio services, cancel a subscription for global positioning information, renew a contract for broadband Internet access in the vehicle, and modify a relationship for remote vehicle security services. Each service that is registered with the system can possess a different status. Such functionality allows devices necessary for various services to be pre-installed in the vehicle. The service management system can also store user profiles that reflect user preferences and patterns of behavior with respect to how the services are performed and configured.

A graphical user interface for use with a multi-media system, such as those found in vehicles, that includes a rotary knob, a graphics control circuit and a graphics display with a graphical depiction of a portion of the rotary knob. The graphical depiction includes a menu wheel and at least two menu items located near its periphery, where each of the menu items corresponds with a device, system or network (i.e.—satellite radio, navigation system, DVD player, video game system, wireless internet, etc.) with which the multi-media system can interact. Furthermore, rotation of the rotary knob by a user causes a corresponding graphical movement of the menu items along a periphery of the menu wheel.

A system and method for distributing music and data. The music or data is first transmitted to a consumer via a satellite radio network. The system includes a satellite radio receiver for the user which is capable of receiving the wireless transmission and providing an audio and / or visual output in response thereto. In addition, the receiver is adapted to receive an input (e.g., voice command) from the user by which the user is able to signal an interest in recording a selection of music or data being played and / or displayed. In response to this signal and a record-ability signal, an ID signal is stored on a removable media which identifies the selection being played and / or displayed. The ID signal may be a composite signal indicating the time and channel, a signal that identifies a selection by number, or other suitable ID signal. Finally, the system includes a computer for allowing the user to use the removable media to retrieve the desired selection via the a second network such as private distribution hub or the World Wide Web. In the specific illustrative embodiment, the removable media is electronic (flash) memory. The web site is implemented with software running on a server which translates the ID signal into a human readable identification (e.g., title and artist) of the music or data selected. The user then either downloads the desired selection through the web site or places an order for delivery of physical media (e.g., a CD) on which the desired selection is stored.

A broadband data broadcast system that allows rich multimedia content to be delivered to a plurality of subscribers is disclosed. The broadband data broadcast system operates by multiplexing a plurality of rich multimedia digital information streams together at a centralized data broadcast center. The data broadcast center then broadcasts the multiplexed digital information stream on a broadcast medium such as satellite broadcasts, radio frequency broadcasts, or digital television broadcasts. A large number of receiver systems receive the broadcast signal and demodulate the broadcast signal to retrieve the multiplexed digital stream. The receiver system extracts a subset of digital information streams that the particular receiver system's owner has designated are of interest. The receiver system caches the interesting digital information stream for later access. The receiver system outputs the interesting digital information streams to a client system upon demand. The receiver system may also stream an incoming digital information stream to a client as the stream is received.

A system and method for providing real-time traffic updates to a mobile vehicle communication device is disclosed. Producing traffic incident region coordinate data, communicating the traffic incident region coordinate data to a mobile vehicle communication device, and determining when a traffic incident region coordinate is within a predetermined radius around the mobile vehicle communication device is described. A computer readable medium is also provided including computer readable code for producing traffic incident region coordinate data, code for communicating the traffic incident region coordinate data to a mobile vehicle communication device; and code for determining when a traffic incident region coordinate is within a predetermined radius around the mobile vehicle communication device.

A system and method for peer based localization system using radio technology, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi ad-hoc technology that enables mobile devices such as cell phones, smart phones, laptops, handheld communication devices, handheld computing devices, satellite radios, global positioning systems, PDAs, etc. to discover their physical location relative to one another. In addition, the peer based localization can use a plurality of radio technologies to increase the accuracy of the physical location estimates. Additionally or alternatively, the peer based localization technique can be combined with infrastructure based location techniques, such as triangulation, GPS, or infrastructure based Wi-Fi localization in order to transpose virtual coordinates into physical coordinates.

An apparatus and method integrates cellular technology, global positioning system (GPS) technology and satellite radio technology. The components of the apparatus share resources, such as a power, dual GPS / satellite antennae, display screen and controls. The system provides an “on-demand” back channel, such as via the nationwide cellular phone network, that allows a satellite radio subscriber to order data on demand from the satellite radio provider, such as a particular list of songs or travel information. The invention utilizes the existing satellite radio infrastructure which is capable of delivering large amounts of streaming on-demand customized programming and information across a satellite channel to a subscriber's satellite radio decoder. By effectively utilizing the growth and momentum of satellite radio technology, the invention introduces new options for location based services (LBS). Using the existing satellite radio infrastructure minimizes the overall cost of delivery of location based services while allowing a wide range of service options.

Broadband data transmission systems and methods that provide point-to-multipoint broadcasting capability to implement Internet access and multimedia distribution services for a very large number of users. An exemplary system comprises a two-way communication link having at least one satellite, at least one user terminal that has two-way communication with the two-way communication link, and at least one gateway that has access to data and has two-way communication with the two-way communication link. The two-way communication link may comprise a low bandwidth two-way communication link, or a low bandwidth request link and high bandwidth data broadcast link. The high bandwidth link preferably broadcasts a wide area coverage beam to allows the requested information to be received by many terminals. The terminal and gateway may each include a cache. Software at the gateway operates to deliver requested data and related data to users using the user's request history and / or user profile. The requested (and related) data (such as a predetermined number of most-requested web pages) may be broadcast at predetermined intervals to simulate real-time broadcasts. Another exemplary system comprises a terrestrial communication link for communicating data requests, a satellite broadcast link for transmitting the requested data, at least one gateway having access to data that communicates with the terrestrial communication link and the satellite broadcast link, and at least one user terminal that communicates with the terrestrial communication link and the satellite broadcast link that caches the requested (and related) data transmitted by the satellite broadcast link. Broadband data transmission methods are also disclosed.

A multifunction printed antenna for wireless and telematic applications. In one embodiment, GPS and satellite radio patch antenna elements are printed on one side of a printed circuit board and AMPS, PCS, GSM and terrestrial radio slot antenna elements are etched in a ground plane on an opposite side of the same printed circuit board. In an alternate embodiment, the GPS and satellite radio patch antenna elements are elements mounted on one printed circuit board and the AMPS, GSM, PCS and terrestrial radio slot antenna elements are etched in a ground plane on another printed circuit board rigidly secured orthogonal to the GPS and satellite printed circuit board. The AMPS, GSM and PCS circuit board can be curved to reduce the nulls at the edges of the circuit board. Further, the edge of the AMPS, GSM and PCS circuit board that contacts the GPS and satellite radio circuit board can have a saw-tooth pattern so that edge currents are reduced.

A dual-radio communication apparatus (100) has a first radio device (110), such as a Bluetooth radio, for use in a first frequency band, and a second radio device (120), such as a Globalstar satellite radio, for use in a second frequency band, which is proximate to the first frequency band. The communication apparatus also has a controller coupled to the first and second radio devices. The first radio device may comprise a frequency-hopping spread-spectrum transmitter. Moreover, the first radio device (110) has a first operating mode employing a first frequency range. The first radio device also has a second operating mode employing a second frequency range, which is smaller than the first frequency range. The controller is adapted to set the first radio device in its second operating mode, when the second radio device (120) is in operation, and otherwise set the first radio device in its first operating mode.

Systems and methods for combining a satellite broadcast system with a wireless system are described. The system comprises a satellite receive antenna and a wireless system device coupled thereto, the wireless system device comprising a wireless network antenna, a wireless radio system coupled to the antenna, a networking bridge coupled to the radio system, and a coaxial networking bridge for coupling a satellite signal on the satellite broadcast system with a wireless signal on the wireless network, wherein the coaxial network bridge enables a device to receive the satellite signal and the wireless signal.

A system for broadcasting television signals transmits both encrypted program content and access control data over a satellite system to be received by a number of individual receivers, each of which has registered with the program provider by providing a public cryptographic key and hash codes representing the serial numbers of critical components within the receiver. The access control data, which is addressed to an individual receiver, includes data encrypted with the public key of the receiver, indicating the program content to be decrypted by the receiver using its private key. Whenever the receiver is powered on, the hash codes are generated and stored to ensure the components have not been changed. Each transmission from the receiver to the program provider is validated by checking the hash codes.

A multifunction printed antenna for wireless and telematic applications. In one embodiment, GPS and satellite radio patch antenna elements are printed on one side of a printed circuit board and AMPS, PCS, GSM and terrestrial radio slot antenna elements are etched in a ground plane on an opposite side of the same printed circuit board. In an alternate embodiment, the GPS and satellite radio patch antenna elements are elements mounted on one printed circuit board and the AMPS, GSM, PCS and terrestrial radio slot antenna elements are etched in a ground plane on another printed circuit board rigidly secured orthogonal to the GPS and satellite printed circuit board. The AMPS, GSM and PCS circuit board can be curved to reduce the nulls at the edges of the circuit board. Further, the edge of the AMPS, GSM and PCS circuit board that contacts the GPS and satellite radio circuit board can have a saw-tooth pattern so that edge currents are reduced.

This disclosure describes a method of payment for parking of a vehicle including determining the location of the vehicle with a wireless communication device. Determining the location includes using a satellite radio navigation system such as GPS with the facility for user provided corrections and avoiding the use of zone IDs. The method also includes automatically extending an initiated parking session with subsequent prepaid time durations until certain predetermined conditions are met. The method includes automatically determining the end of an initiated parking session based on detecting movement of the vehicle away from a parking spot provided the Handset containing the parking payment App has sensed a Bluetooth tag in the vehicle or paired with the built-in Bluetooth system of the vehicle. The method also includes targeted parking enforcement where parked vehicles are identified wirelessly by short range radio beacons emitted by tags placed in / on the vehicles and their session status checked with information downloaded from a parking application server.

A wireless FM repeater system for converting the audio signal from a portable audio source (e.g., iPod, MP3 player, a cell phone or satellite radio, etc.) and transmitting it to the FM tuner of a vehicle stereo system where access to a hard-wired input jack does not exist. The system includes a transmitter, coupled to the audio source, that transmits the audio source signals at a high frequency (e.g., 902-928 MHz, 2.4-2.483 GHz, 434 / 868 MHz) to a repeater located adjacent the vehicle's audio system antenna and wherein the repeater downconverts, without demodulation, the high frequency carrier and includes an FM transmitter that transmits the audio source signal, in compliance with government regulations, to the vehicle's audio FM system, via the vehicle's FM antenna, without signal degradation.

A portable content-playing device which automatically constructs a virtual channel of content consistent with the tastes of the user of the device, where the content originates from one or more satellites. The portable device contains software for computing similarity values between a local taste profile (representative of the tastes of the user of the device) and taste profiles downloaded from one or more of the satellites, and this information is used in choosing the content of the virtual channel.

A novel and useful apparatus for and method of securely downloading and installing a patch program in a processing device. Each processing device is assigned a unique key embedded therein during manufacture and has knowledge of a shared key. The program patch is encrypted using the shared key and transmitted over a communication link, such as a satellite radio link, to each device. The patch is decrypted using the shared key and re-encrypted using the unique key known only to the device itself. The re-encrypted patch program is stored in nonvolatile memory and upon reset of the device, the encrypted patch contents are read out of the nonvolatile memory, decrypted using the unique key and loaded into patch memory for execution by the processing device.

A content channel is periodically or permanently allocated for use as an “update channel” or “firmware-image download” channel. Any firmware images downloaded to receivers in the system are thoroughly tested prior to being distributed among the receivers. Header information is included in the firmware image when it is transmitted to the receivers, and the firmware image is not accepted for use by the receivers until it is verified on the receiver side. Further, rather than overwriting the existing firmware, the new validated firmware updates are stored separately on the receivers and are utilized when the receiver is rebooted during power-up or by the host controller. If, during this reboot process, an error occurs in the new firmware image, the receiver is configured to revert back to the original firmware image so that it will remain operational, albeit without the updated firmware features.

An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system includes an antenna for receiving digital satellite radio signals, and an intermediate frequency (IF) down converter is connected to the antenna for down converting the digital satellite radio signals. A plurality of seat electronic boxes (SEBs) are spaced throughout the aircraft. Each SEB includes at least one IF tuner in communications with the IF down converter.

A multifunction printed antenna for wireless and telematic applications. In one embodiment, GPS and satellite radio patch antenna elements are printed on one side of a printed circuit board and AMPS, PCS, GSM and terrestrial radio slot antenna elements are etched in a ground plane on an opposite side of the same printed circuit board. In an alternate embodiment, the GPS and satellite radio patch antenna elements are elements mounted on one printed circuit board and the AMPS, GSM, PCS and terrestrial radio slot antenna elements are etched in a ground plane on another printed circuit board rigidly secured orthogonal to the GPS and satellite printed circuit board.

A portable, data storage device, player, playback device, data streaming device, audio player, video player, audio and video player, satellite radio device, cellular phone (with an integrated audio and / or video player), PDA (personal digital assistant), PMP (portable media player), gaming device, handheld and / or mobile device, each embedded with inherent audio and / or video playing / playback capabilities, attached to a docking station or cradle via a single or plural audio / video connectors, wirelessly transmitting audio and / or video and / or control data via infrared optical signals to a set of remote wireless receiving device / s, speaker / s and / or video reproduction device / s.

Digital data objects containing video-based advertisement information are broadcast via satellite and received by one or more integrated receiver decoders (IRDs). Each IRD selectively discards or caches advertisement objects (AOs) in a local memory. AOs that are incompatible with the sophistication level of the IRD and / or user preferences / characteristics are discarded without being cached and AOs that have a lower priority than currently cached AOs are discarded. The IRD arranges cached AOs into ordered lists to schedule them for display and each ordered list corresponds to a unique display position within a program guide. When the user initiates a program guide session, the IRD cyclically displays the AOs in the program guide according to the ordered lists.

A system and method for the efficient use of satellite radio modems and satellite bandwidth is disclosed. In the system and method, a satellite radio modem is used for PRACH requests, each PRACH request occupying 31.25 kHz in a packet data transfer channel. The packet data transfer channels can be either 125.0 kHz or 156.25 kHz. Therefore, four PRACH requests can be transmitted in any one packet data transfer channel. The packet data transfer channels are broken into eight time slots, and one time slot in each channel (either the odd frame or even frame) is dedicated to a PRACH request. A satellite radio modem for PDCH transfers is dedicated for each channel. The satellite radio modem assigned to receive the four PRACH requests is timeshared over 16 channels, thereby reducing the amount of satellite radio modems that would otherwise have been needed, had the PRACH request transmissions utilized a dedicated modem for each PRACH request, for each channel.

A media broadcast and distribution system is disclosed which substitutes storage for communications, allowing more efficient use of scarce bandwidth resources. One embodiment allows a terrestrial FM broadcaster to offer a larger number of higher quality audio channels than current satellite radio services such as Sirius and XM Satellite Radio. This embodiment also has features that offer a better user experience than with personal audio devices such as Apple's iPod™. Another embodiment allows satellite radio services to expand their video offerings.